Green Brigade’s Hard Hitting Wednesday Celtic Statement

The Green Brigade have broken their silence following the lifting of their suspension, and their message leaves little doubt about how they view the past five months.

After a prolonged absence from Celtic Park, confirmed on Tuesday evening ahead of the season run-in, the group have now publicly addressed supporters, the club, and the wider situation that has unfolded behind the scenes.

Their return comes at a critical time.

Celtic are still fighting for the title despite their poor season, and the absence of the North Curve has been impossible to ignore. Atmosphere at Celtic Park has suffered.

The original ban stemmed from incidents the club alleged involved serious safety breaches and steward interference. The Green Brigade have consistently disputed those claims, maintaining there was no fair basis for the scale of punishment handed down.

Now, with the suspension lifted, they have framed the outcome as vindication.

In their statement, the group confirm that approximately 250 supporters were impacted across what they describe as a five-month and 32-match suspension. They request those affected receive a pro-rata refund and the restoration of away points lost.

While acknowledging their return, the Green Brigade make clear the experience has left lasting damage. They point to “deep structural and cultural concerns” within the club and warn similar breakdowns will continue unless those issues are addressed properly.

Celtic also claimed in their own statement that the Green brigade had agreed to all their “non-negotiables”, while the group themselves say they have agreed to a return after they were ‘satisfied that conditions on lawful supporter expression and conduct towards police officers have been dropped’. 

This season has seen major unrest directed at the board, from organised protests to widespread criticism over football decisions and communication. The club hoarding cash while the squad is the poorest in a decade and allowing our rivals to not only catch up but surpass us as we go into the final six games of the season.

The club’s approach has not helped ease tensions. Moves to restrict supporter groups, alongside the continued ban  on fan media, have only reinforced the perception that dissent is being pushed away rather than engaged with.

The Green Brigade’s statement taps directly into that mood. They call for supporters to be treated fairly and proportionately, while also outlining a series of recommendations to Celtic. These include greater transparency, improved supporter engagement, and a more balanced approach to policing and stewarding inside the stadium.

Despite everything, there is a rallying tone in their message.

The group stress that Celtic still have a chance this season, despite the board and commit to backing the team from the stands once again. That return, both visually and vocally, could play a role in the final weeks.

But the wider issues remain unresolved.

Green Brigade Statement (Full):

“Following a five-month and 32-match suspension, Celtic FC has finally lifted the unjustified and unfair suspension of 250 supporters.

In doing so, all affected supporters will receive a pro-rata refund for matches missed; and be credited with away points they would otherwise have accrued. We believe this is vindication that there was no basis for the suspensions.

While we are naturally pleased to be officially returning to Celtic matches, we will not forget the experience of recent months and the personal impact it has had on supporters. There remains deep structural and cultural concerns within the club which must be robustly addressed to avoid similar, widespread supporter-breakdowns which have plagued this season.

It remains our expectation that all Celtic supporters – including the Green Brigade – must be treated fairly, proportionately and with respect by the Club, its stewards and police officers, particularly when on the footprint of Celtic Park. We are satisfied that conditions on lawful supporter expression and conduct towards police officers have been dropped thus proving them to be wholly inappropriate.

For 20 years, it has been the Celtic support that has funded and fuelled the Green Brigade. Your support over recent months, particularly by sharing match tickets to circumvent suspensions, has been invaluable. In particular, we would like to thank the Celtic Fans Collective for its consistent advocacy and Bhoys Celtic for its unwavering solidarity.

In spite of the board, Celtic still has a fighting chance of salvaging this season. We are committed to and relishing the prospect of returning to Celtic Park to get behind the team. This responsibility extends beyond the Green Brigade though. Everyone has their own particular part to play, no part is too great or too small, no one is too old or too young to do something.

Recommendations to Celtic FC

Short term
• Full refunds for all matches missed by affected supporters.
• Allocation of away points for fixtures supporters would otherwise have attended.
• Advance visibility of stewarding and policing plans for the North Curve.
• A consistent and visible SLO presence within the North Curve
• A policing approach that is proportionate with presence limited to circumstances where it is strictly necessary.
• A formal apology to supporters for the manner in which this situation has been handled.

Medium term
• The establishment of a democratically elected Fan Advisory Board and a transparent, meaningful supporter engagement framework.
• The introduction of a fair, transparent and proportionate disciplinary process for supporters.
• Expansion of the SLO team, including a dedicated role focused on engagement with ultras groups.
• Consideration of grouping the Green Brigade and Bhoys Celtic together for the 2026/27 season.
• Exploration of a goal-end safe standing section from the 2027/28 season.”